Up Helly Aa is Europe’s largest fire festival, held every January in Lerwick, Shetland, to celebrate the islands’ Viking heritage. The highlight is a torchlit procession of over 1,000 costumed “guizers”, led by the Jarl Squad dressed as Norse warriors, who march through the town carrying flaming torches. The spectacle culminates with the dramatic burning of a full-size Viking longship, followed by all-night festivities of music, dancing, and community spirit. Rooted in 19th-century tradition yet infused with Norse legend, Up Helly Aa is a fiery celebration of Shetland’s identity and culture.
DATES & TIMES
• Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026 (held on the last Tuesday in January). Official 2026 page.
• Light‑up: 19:30 — torchlit procession begins from the Hillhead (below Town Hall). Procession info • Procession page.
• Jarl Squad morning: official morning parades and visits run in town (route published each year). Press pack (example).
• Livestream: evening procession & burning are streamed online. Watch live.
LOCATION
• Where: Lerwick, Shetland — town‑centre route, finishing at the King George V Playing Field (burning site). Official note.
• Map (burning site): King George V Playing Field — Open in Google Maps • Hillhead/Town Hall: main mustering area. Procession page.
TICKETS & ENTRY
• Free public event: viewing along the route is open‑access; no general tickets. Official site.
• Burning site access: the burning area is closed to the public; watch from designated viewing points. Official note.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Next day: the Wednesday is a local public holiday for many in Shetland. Press pack.
• Plan your evening: street lights switch off for light‑up; arrive early and dress warmly for wind/rain. Procession page.
• Photography & media: follow the committee’s guidance; routes and timings are published on the official site each year. Official site • Shetland tourism.
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